Surgical support assembly

Abstract

A surgical support apparatus is disclosed, including an elongate member, a first tissue penetrating member, and a second tissue penetrating member. The second tissue penetrating member includes two segments hingably attached to each other. A distal portion of the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member includes an engagement surface. The first tissue penetrating member has a distal portion including a receiving surface. The engagement surface radially approaches the receiving surface causing the secure engagement of the first and second tissue penetrating members. Surgical objects can be attached to the surgical support apparatus and supported within an internal body cavity. Also disclosed is a method of assembling the surgical support apparatus in an internal body cavity.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of assembling a surgical support apparatus in a body cavity, comprising:
 disposing a surgical support apparatus over a body cavity, the surgical support apparatus having:
 an elongate member; 
 a first tissue penetrating member extending from the elongate member; 
 a second tissue penetrating member extending from the elongate member, the second tissue penetrating member having first and second segments; and 
 a sliding tab associated with the second tissue penetrating member; 
   accessing the body cavity with the first and second tissue penetrating members, the second tissue penetrating member locked in a straight configuration by the sliding tab;   translating the sliding tab to unlock the second tissue penetrating member;   manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members of the surgical support apparatus to form a supportive structure in the body cavity; and   attaching a surgical object to the supportive structure.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes actuating an actuation member attached to the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member to pivot the second segment relative to the first segment. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes engaging a portion of the first tissue penetrating member with a portion of the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes transitioning the surgical support apparatus from a first state, wherein the second tissue penetrating member is in the straight configuration, to a second state, wherein the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member is engaged with a portion of the first tissue penetrating member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising locking at least one of the first and second tissue penetrating members in an orientation relative to the elongate member, wherein at least one of the first and second tissue penetrating members is pivotable relative to the elongate member. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising penetrating a tissue layer with the first and second tissue penetrating members before manipulating the surgical support apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein manipulating the surgical support apparatus includes forming the surgical support apparatus with the tissue layer between the supportive structure and the elongate member. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein attaching the surgical object to the supportive structure includes attaching the surgical object to the supportive structure with the tissue layer between the supportive structure and the elongate member. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein accessing the body cavity includes creating an opening through a tissue layer using the first and second tissue penetrating members. 
     
     
         30 . A method of assembling a surgical support apparatus in a body cavity, comprising:
 disposing a surgical support apparatus over a body cavity, the surgical support apparatus having an elongate member;   accessing the body cavity with first and second tissue penetrating members of the surgical support apparatus each of which extends from the elongate member, the second tissue penetrating member having first and second segments locked in a straight configuration by a sliding tab;   translating the sliding tab to unlock the second tissue penetrating member;   manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members of the surgical support apparatus to form a supportive structure in the body cavity; and   attaching a surgical object to the supportive structure.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes actuating an actuation member attached to the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member to pivot the second segment relative to the first segment. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes engaging a portion of the first tissue penetrating member with a portion of the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein manipulating the first and second tissue penetrating members includes transitioning the surgical support apparatus from a first state, wherein the second tissue penetrating member is in the straight configuration, to a second state, wherein the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member is engaged with a portion of the first tissue penetrating member. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising locking at least one of the first and second tissue penetrating members in an orientation relative to the elongate member, wherein at least one of the first and second tissue penetrating members is pivotable relative to the elongate member. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising penetrating a tissue layer with the first and second tissue penetrating members before manipulating the surgical support apparatus. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein manipulating the surgical support apparatus includes forming the surgical support apparatus with the tissue layer between the supportive structure and the elongate member. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein attaching the surgical object to the supportive structure includes attaching the surgical object to the supportive structure with the tissue layer between the supportive structure and the elongate member. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein accessing the body cavity includes creating an opening through a tissue layer using the first and second tissue penetrating members.